Sidewalk barbershops are a symbol of old Saigon. In the face of globalization and its demands for westernization, the sight of a simple chair placed beneath an awning where one can get an affordable trim just a few meters from a busy street is gradually vanishing.

“We’re going to Taipei on VietJet Air,” an acquaintance said to me. An international flight on Vietnam’s notoriously delayed airline didn’t sound like the best idea ever. But who would expect that I was set to fly to Tainan, a city on the island's southwest coast, just a few hours after the brief conversation with her. The reality was that I found it excruciatingly difficult to reject a cheap flight deal.

In full "ninja" attire, I braved congested streets under the scorching sun looking for the address. Finally, having spotted a sign that reads 'OldSchool Barbell System’ tucked deep inside Binh Thanh District, I hopped the curb, cheated my way to the destination towards a wide parking spot and prepared to enter a world secluded from the chaotic surroundings.

"Saigon in its golden age was a time to be remembered and passed down to younger generations. The vintage aesthetic trend in Vietnam has been around for a couple of years now and for me, it is a cause for celebration," owner Anh Tuyet said of the trend that has swept cafés and restaurants citywide. Thị's customers, meanwhile, are here for more than just the aesthetic.

Few people are aware that Saigon has an affordable, world-class emergency ambulance response service offering state-of-the-art treatment that begins the moment a call is placed from anywhere in the country.

Just in case you felt something was missing between Vietnam's straight-laced national carrier and the flurry of budget airlines that have stormed onto the aviation scene in recent years, Vietnam will soon be getting a new carrier.

According to Saigon Giai Phong, the Ministry of Transport is requesting approval of an air transport business license for Vietstar Airlines, a company established in 2010 which specializes in passenger and cargo transport as well as aircraft repair and maintenance, aviation fuel supply and pilot training.

Owned by the Vietnam Air Defense and Air Force under the Ministry of National Defense, Vietstar would become the country's newest passenger carrier, competing with other regional airlines on domestic routes as well as flights to ASEAN and north Asian destinations.

Vietstar plans to use Boeing 737 and Airbus 320 models in its first five years, reports the news outlet, though it is unclear how many will be put into rotation. By the end of 2015, Vietnam was home to 131 aircraft including 86 from Vietnam Airlines, 25 from VietJet and 11 from Jetstar Pacific.

For the moment, Vietstar's greatest hurdle is funding. As of this date last year, the company's registered capital amounted to VND800 billion (US$36 million), however government regulations require the company to raise an additional VND47.3 billion (US$2.1 million) in order to reach the minimum required capital for an international and domestic passenger and cargo carrier.

For its part, the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV) is supportive of Vietstar's efforts, particularly as a cargo airline. Currently, Vietnam does not have a carrier specifically dedicated to cargo transport.

“CAAV will support Vietstar Airlines in exploring domestic and international routes, as well as in building a cargo carrier airline,” CAAV general director Lai Xuan Thanh told Saigon Giai Phong.